Calling the 2010 Yamaha XT1200Z Super Tenere "the R1 of adventure tourers" isn't just hyperbole, it shares important technology with the superbike, most evidently in the crossplane crankshaft. In the R1, that innovation eliminates inertial torque and alters the power delivery to make the most of available traction. In the Super Tenere, that should help get the 110bhp and 84lb/ft the 1199cc parallel-twin makes to the ground, whether that ground be asphalt, dirt or sand. Helping that along is a three mode traction control system that measures relative speeds of the front and rear wheels, then adjusts power to suit the riders demands. The traction control system is fully defeatable, but the ABS brakes are not.>

The Super Tenere's interesting mechanical spec doesn't stop there.There's one radiator, mounted on the left side of the engine and finaldrive is shaft to reduce maintenance. The parallel-twin engine ismounted as far forward in the chassis as possible and relative toopposed- or v-twin competitors is relatively short, allowing for anexceptionally long swingarm, which should, in turn, help traction. Thebattery and electrical components are mounted to the right of theengine, mirroring the radiator.

Despite the lack of an ABS "off" switch, Yamaha is serious about theSuper Tenere's off-road ability, fitting it with a 19-inch front wheeland a 17-inch rear. Both wheels are spoked, but tubeless. The ridingposition has been optimized for both seated and standing positions andbrush guards are standard. Stand up on the pegs and thevibration-reducing rubber insert will compress, allowing your boots togrip the spiked metal pegs. Side engine protectors and a sump guard arealso standard and the rear subframe is reinforced to survive impactseven while the panniers are fitted and fully loaded. At 6.07 gallons,the oversized fuel tank should allow some serious distance between fillups. A 12-volt power socket mounted in the is also standard, the seatadjusts between 33.3 and 34.3 inches in height and the screen is alsoadjustable.

Fully-fueled, the Super Tenere weighs 261kg/575lbs.

Yamaha USA has no official plans to import the Super Tenere. However, we hear that should enough interest be registered and if the financialnumbers ad up, we could see it here soon.